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MARCH, 1902.)
LETTERS FROM MADRAS IN 1659.
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per our shipping, and that lawfully, considering them as Pirats" (Surat Consultations, June 22nd, 1660). From Danda Rajpuri he was to proceed to Karwar, and survey two islands at the mouth of the Karwar River, which were reported to be suitable for a settlement; and coming back, he was to call at Goa, and inquire casually regarding the possibility of obtaining permission to reside on the island called the Ellebant, lying in Bombay."
Nothing can be traced as to the result of this mission; bat Middleton was back by the 9th April, 1661, for on that date he witnessed two declarations at Swally (Forrest's Selections from Bombay Records : Home, Vol. I. pp. 190-1).
In a commission to Richard Craddock, proceeding to Persia, dated 3rd March, 1662 (ibid. p. 199), the Surat factors mention that Middleton had been sent to Gombroon, apparently to seize the native broker and send him to Surat for punishment. This is the last entry that can be found relating to him; and it seems probable that, like so many of his contemporaries, he found a grave at that most unbealthy settlement.
Roger Middleton's Letter. . Loving Brother and Sister,
I am betwixt too opinions wheather to write unto you or not; though I be silent, yet the newes of my misery will soone come to your eares. Five monthes after our departure from England our shipp was cast away and many weare drownd, amongst the rest Cosen Richard Myddelton; bat my selfe miraculously saved (praysed be God of my salvacon), being sick of a feaver at that Instant, but had nothing about me but my shift, and of all I had in the shipp I saved not the worth of 2 d. I can not expresse tbe miserablenesse of our condicon, the shipp beating apon & Rock under watter, and after four howers fell in peeces ; this in darke night, not knowing where to looke for Land, our boate sunck under the shipp side, having but it and another, into which I, being parte of Mariner, was admitted, but the Merchants was faine to stay on board that night and most of the next day. Att breake of the day wee saw land, at which wee conceaved noe small joy, which wee with much danger recovered, for the sea broake upon us and fild as twise with watter. Although I was sick yet I laboured to save my skin; nothing but life endeavoured for. Wee went unto the Island called Ingramrudoo, haveing noe living thing upon it for the use of man, wee haveing neither meate, drinke nor clothes, doe armes for defence nor anything to keepe life. Wee fitted our boate as well as we could to save some men ; some they tooke up swimming upon broaken peeces of the shipp, which stuck fast in the Rock, amongst whom was Captain Roger Williams and arch deacon Lloyd son, who are both my soldiers. Thus having as many as wee could save, being without food, wee ranged about the Island. We found a well of watter, of which wee dranke like pigeons, lifting head and harts for soe greate a mercy. Thus drinkeing watter, by good providence wee found coker nutt trees, which is both food and raymen* ; soe wee went by the sea side and found little shell fish and the like, but wanting fire we tooke sticks and rubbed them togeather untill they kindled; thus wee lived heare ten or twelve dayes, not knowing wheather it was better for us to be seen by the Neighbouring Islanders, for some of the ancient seamen sayd they would cutt our throats. Att last there arived three of their boates full of men, which wee dreaded but could not resist. One of our men swam a board of making singes [signes ?] and signifieing our condicon, by hirogliphicks they did seeme to comiserat us. Thus they did once or twice, and broug[ht us] Toddy to drinke and rice to eate, which was a greate refreshm[ent], promising us a boate to transport us to the King of Maldiv[ ], who stiles bimselfe the welthiest king in the world; but they juggled with us and carried us into another Island called Corwmbo, where wee had fish and other good things, as hony and rice, on which wee fedd like farmers. But they lorded over us sadly, telling us wee were att theire mercy, takeing from us what they would. Soe after a long tyme they brought a rotten vessell and bid us begon, murmuring against us, which created in us much jelouzie, fearing (for) our lives both day and night. Att last two of their Vice Royes came, saying if we would send the king a Regalo or Piscash they would give us a vessell, Soe one of the Merchants had a gold chayn
1 A gift (Portuguese).
